Chapter Four: His Worst Nightmare

Racing down the streets in his car Alvin felt more anxious than ever before in his life. So many frightening thoughts went through his mind. The day he first met her, and how he thought he hated her. All the fights they had. But over time things changed. At some point they had become friends, but what he felt for her was more than friendship. He just couldn't ever tell her how he really felt. Now, he so desperately wanted to tell her. Everything he had written in his letters, the letters he could never send.

"Brittany, please don't die," he said, pulling off the highway. He turned down Green Avenue and down 4th street. He was a bit relieved when he saw the hospital. He quickly looked for a parking place. It took him nearly twenty minutes to find one. His anxiety was taking over.

Once parked he practically sprinted out of the car and found the entrance. He entered and quickly made his way to the reception area.

"May I help you?" The woman behind the counter said.

"Yes, ma'am," he said. "I'm looking for a patient. Brittany Miller."

The woman hit some keys on her computer. It seemed like it was taking an eternity. Then she looked up and said, "Fifth floor."

"Okay," he said and raced for the elevator. He hit the button several times. "Come on."

Then finally the doors opened. He entered the elevator and hit the third floor. He watched each floor light up. First floor and the doors opened and several people stepped in. He looked at his watch, but the time didn't anything to him. Second Floor. The elevator stopped again. A few people got off and more came on. He didn't pay too much attention. His only thoughts were about getting to Brittany. Finally the Fifth Floor. He had to push his way through all the people to get out of the doors.

He followed down the long hallway to the nurses station. He was almost out of breath when he finally reached it.

"Can I help you?" the nurse asked.

"I'm looking for Brittany Miller," Alvin said, breathing heavily.

The nurse looked over at her computer. "Yes, sir, room 506," she said. "Just follow the red arrow down to the end. Last room on the right."

He was about to turn and walk down to Brittany's room, but someone blocked his path. "Alvin," said a female voice.

"Eleanor?" he said surprised. "How's Brittany?"

Eleanor dropped her eyes as tears weld up in them. "She's still unconscious.

"I gotta see her," he said.

"Miss Miller is with her," she said. "She's pretty banged up, Alvin. Plus she has this huge gash on her head. She just doesn't look like herself."

"I don't care," Alvin said. "She's alive. That's all that matters." They finally reached Brittany's room. He could see through the curtain window. Miss Miller was sitting by her bedside holding her hand. "I'm going in."

He slowly opened the door gently and walked in. Miss Miller turned around and saw him standing there.

"Alvin dear, good of you to come." She had tears in her eyes. She broke down in front of him and hugged him tightly. "I can't lose my baby."

"She'll be alright," Alvin said, through his own tears. He walked over to Brittany's bedside. "We'll just have to get her through this." He took her hand. It felt so limp and lifeless as did her unconscious body. "I won't let her die."

She had so many cuts and scratches on her face and arms, and there was a large bandage on her forehead.

"Alvin," Miss Miller said. "I'll give you two some time alone." He just nodded, not being able to bring himself to speak.

His heart sunk as he sat there by her bedside. Just a few days ago she had called saying she was coming home. His heart so joyous at hearing her say those words, and now here was his worst nightmare had come to life.

"Please, Brittany, please, wake up," he cried as he held her hand. "I can't lose you....not again."

There was no response. She just lay there lifeless and pale.

Miss Miller languished outside Brittany's hospital room with Eleanor. They had just called Jeanette on her cell phone telling her about Brittany's condition. When Eleanor came back she told her mother that Jeanette was on her way.

The doctor came towards them at that moment. "Are you Brittany Miller's guardian?" The doctor asked.

"Yes, Doctor," Miss Miller said. "How's my baby?" She tried to hold back her tears. Eleanor held onto her afraid of what the doctor might tell them.

"Well, Miss Miller, your daughter sustained some serious injuries, but she will recover. Our only concern is the head injury. We won't know the extent of the damage until she regains consciousness."

"You mean she might...? Eleanor asked but she couldn't finish the sentence.

"Don't say it, Ellie," Miss Miller said. "That's not going to happen to our Brittany. We'll think only good thoughts."

At that Moment Eleanor spotted Jeanette coming down the hallway. "Jeanette!" Eleanor said, waving her sister their way. Eleanor was crying uncontrollably by now, and Jeanette embraced her.

"Don't worry, Ellie. I'm here now." After a minute or two Jeanette let go of her. "How's Brittany?"

"Were not sure yet?" Eleanor said.

Miss Miller stepped aside, talking to the doctor privately. "She's not going to die?" Jeanette asked, her voice trembling.

"The doctor says she'll recover, but she might have..."

"What?"

"Brain damage," Ellie said and started crying again.

"No," Jeanette said. "This can't be happening, not to Brittany. I have to see her."

"Alvin's with her," Eleanor said. "He's so upset."

"He should be," Jeanette fired at her. "If it wasn't for him she never would have left."

"Jeanette, you can't blame Alvin. It's not his fault. Jeanette ignored what Eleanor was saying. She instead walked into Brittany's room.

Alvin was sitting by her bedside. He didn't even notice that she had come into the room. "Hi, Alvin," she said in a calm voice.

He looked up to see Jeanette standing there next to her. "Jeanette," he said. He looked back down at Brittany. "So looks so fragile."

"She's not, you know. She's the strongest person I know."

Tears rolled down his face. "I can't lose her, Jeanette, not now. This is all my fault. I did this."

Jeanette didn't say anything. In many ways she knew he was right. It was his fault, and she couldn't forgive him. She kept her feelings to herself.

"Miss Miller and Eleanor just spoke to the doctor," she said in a low voice.

"What did he say?" he asked, but Jeanette didn't say anything. She just stood there in a daze, remembering what Eleanor had told her. "Please, tell me," he pleaded.

"Eleanor told me that the doctor said... She might have brain damage."

Alvin's heart sank. He looked back over at Brittany. "No, that's not going to happen. I won't let it. Do you hear me, Brittany? You're going to get better. You have to."

Jeanette started to cry. Saying those words out loud just made it more real. She heard Alvin's words and wondered if he was just in denial. She couldn't stand to see her sister in this condition a second longer and ran out of the room. Alvin didn't even notice. The only thing he could focus on was Brittany.

Okay, That ends another chapter. I know it was sad, but that's just the way it came out. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to review. See you next chapter.